Automatic Transmission Control Module problems of the 2018 Ford Focus

Ford diagnostic revealed transmission friction element stuck in a. The service center mechanic said the damper unit, forks, motors, bearing sleeve, tcm needed to be replaced.

My battery died in my car. I replaced the battery with a brand new battery and then I noticed transmission issues that were not present 1 day prior. My check engine light came on as well as a “transmission fault warning” message. My car would not drive over 10 mph in drive. My car would shift into reverse, but would not drive at all. Car would not shift into s gear. Dealer told me it was the tcm. And that I just missed the tcm warrant by 3 days. They replaced the tcm and now they’re telling me there are deeper issues with the transmission.

My vehicle has had 3 evap canister valve recall repairs since 2021, I purchased my 2018 Ford Focus titanium brand new in January 2019. I have all receipts. I recently had the 3rd evap canister valve repair January 15,2025. My vehicle had pending codes p144a and p1450 which would have prevented it from passing texas emmissions. My vehicle has also had a transmission control module recall repair -tcm twice, once in 2022 and 2023. My car has had intermitten stalling in the middle of a intersection due to this recall putting me at risk for an accident. My vehicle currently has a pending code p2867 which is the tcm code. I have aaa tow truck history of my vehicle being towed to classic Ford for these repeat repairs. I have taken my car to classic Ford several times in galveston, TX in which they have not successfully repaired these recalls. Which has turned into repeat repairs. Invoices to prove it. Cook Ford in texas city recently repaired the 3rd evap canister valve on January 15, 2025 in which they also found the faulty code for the transmission control module. This is a serious concern.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, and while driving at various speeds, messages that the brake fluid level was low, and to shift into park were displayed. The contact stated that other unknown messages were displayed. Additionally, the contact stated that upon turning off the vehicle, the instrument cluster and the infotainment system screen failed to turn off intermittently. The contact stated that the vehicle had also experienced abnormal battery drainage. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was recommended to replace the negative (-) ground wiring cable. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred the following day. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the tcm had failed, and the failure could be the cause of the battery drainage. The dealer determined that the tcm needed to be replaced and ordered the part. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to an unknown recall. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was filed, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 106,000.

My 2018 Ford Focus started having transmission issues over 2 years ago. I took my car into a Ford dealership who reassured me that my car was fine and that my transmission was in fact not slipping. I continued to drive my vehicle while feeling the transmission slipping telling myself Ford told me this is normal it's fine. Cut to 2 years later. It is not fine. My entire transmission needs replaced. My tcm was not working properly which in turn ruined my reverse gear and caused internal damage to the transmission, resulting in a recommended replacement of the transmission. My car is only 5 years old with about 45,000 mi on it. I drive about half as much as the average american driver per year. My car had a hard acceleration so it was hard to enter traffic from a stop. Many times I was making a turn into traffic and felt like I might get hit by another car because I couldn't get into traffic fast enough. The jerking and slipping of the transmission caused constant fear of the car not performing as it should so to ensure everyone's safety, I would only make turns or go when there was absolutely no traffic. It also caused fear when my car wouldn't accelerate so I use more pressure on the gas pedal and then suddenly my car would lurch forward faster than expected. My check engine light did light up a few weeks prior to my transmission going out but the code was for the fuel pump purge valve. Again, the issue started in April of 2022 and the Ford dealership told me there was nothing wrong with the transmission even though there was. My transmission is experiencing many of the same things others experienced which is why this transmission was recalled. Unfortunately my particular VIN number was not.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to reverse out of a parking spot while the transmission was shifted in reverse (r). The contact turned off the vehicle and the vehicle failed to restart. Aaa arrived on the scene and jumpstarted the vehicle. The battery was replaced, but the failure persisted. Additionally, the vehicle failed to stop immediately while the brake pedal was depressed, and the transmission inadvertently shifted to second and third gear. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, who performed a multi-point inspection and retrieved an error code for clutch b stuck engaged. The contact was informed that she needed to pay for further diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. Upon investigation, the contact related the failure to the tcm. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 143,365.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled with the fuel system and transmission warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was restarted; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The vehicle was diagnosed, and it was determined that the canister purge valve and the powertrain control module had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to the nhsta hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 45,000.

Upon purchase of the vehicle in 2018 it has been taken into Ford dealer for multiple issues over the years up until current related to transmission (cvt) and tcm. It has excessive shudder upon acceleration, feels as it will stall suddenly, hesitant upon acceleration, shifting roughly and not shifting at all at times, with and also without a check engine light on. Multiple codes have been read but the tcm has needed a reset every time it’s been taken in. There has been a recall/extended warranty on other Focus and fiesta years due to same issue with tcm, which often times is misdiagnosed due to faulty codes. This has been an ongoing and consistent problem since I’ve owned the vehicle.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 50 mph, the vehicle stalled while shifting gear. The contact stated that the vehicle lost motive power with the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted but the failure persisted. The vehicle taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed transmission shudder coming from multiple shift gears and the transmission control module (tcm) needed to be repaired. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle had been experiencing transmission failures, and the transmission clutch was replaced several times under an unknown recall. The contact stated while driving 60 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle hesitated to respond. The message "service transmission now" was displayed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the pcm had failed and needed to be replaced. The pcm was replaced; however, the failure persisted. The dealer determined that the clutch needed to be replaced; however, an unknown recall had expired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 87,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle would hesitate upon depression of the accelerator pedal. In addition, the vehicle would abruptly accelerate as well as jerk forward while driving at various speeds as the check engine light would appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where the vehicle was diagnosed with a transmission control module(tcm) failure. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and was informed that the vehicle was no longer apart of a customer satisfaction program associated with the failure. The vehicle had yet to be repaired. The failure mileage was approximatley 58,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph with the cruise control activated, the vehicle started losing motive power. The contact stated that he depressed the accelerator pedal and heard an abnormally loud bang and pulled over. The contact stated that the “engine fault - service immediately" warning light was illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer determined that the transmission control module (tcm) needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 61,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that after parking the vehicle, the following morning the vehicle failed to start. The battery was replaced however, after starting the vehicle, the vehicle was operating in limp mode. The vehicle was towed to the local dealer who diagnosed that the transmission was faulty and needed to be replaced. The transmission was replaced; however, after retrieving the vehicle the check engine warning light remained illuminated and the rpm was revving too high. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer who diagnosed that the tcm was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 61,000.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, the ignition switch had to be turned several times before the vehicle started. Additionally, while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jerked and shuddered while changing gear, with the check engine light warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local mechanic who determined that the transmission control module (tcm) was faulty and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The manufacturer and local dealer were not yet notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 69,000.

Car started making a noise and jerking, couldn't go above 12 mph and wouldn't go in reverse. Check engine light came on. This is same fault we had with our previous Ford Focus which was supposed to be corrected in 2018 models but clearly isn't. Dealership said it is tcm and back order for part could be months, told us they don't do loaner cars but the repair is free. The repair isn't free because this is our only car and my disabled husband needs transport to weekly hospital appointments so it is costing 30 dollars a day for a rental we shouldn't have to pay for. Ford tcm is clearly a huge issue no matter what year you buy.

Transmission issue. Dry clutch system causes the clutch to overheat and the tcm to fail. The car jerks and lurches and doesn't shift when it should. Ford issued recall for 2016 and the same transmission is in the 2018 as well.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start. Additionally, the contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission failed to shift out of 1st gear. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who replaced the tcm; however, the dealer informed the contact that the transmission needed to be replaced due to the extreme external damage. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and referred the contact to file a complaint with the NHTSA hotline. The failure mileage was approximately 100,000.

Transmission control module (tcm) does not work and the car does not start on.

My 2018 Ford Focus has a recall, it has been in the service center since November for non-repairable issues. Ford motor company has lacked transparency and disclosures by lying about the recalls and defects as more than one the Ford certified dealership confirmed my emissions warranty and recall on parts but the manufacture continues to deny any sort of warranty and recall which is “VIN” specific but my engine and transmission falls under the classification of the recall “1. 0l fox gtdi engine and a 6-speed manual transmission. ” recall is for 2016-2018 and mine is a 2018. The condition and symptoms of just under 49k miles has these ongoing, non-repairable issues as it’s since had its clutch motor replaced, transmission control module that was on a national back order because thousands of other vehicles identical to mine have the same issues but some do and some have “no recalls on their vins” but after even this part was replaced, my vehicle still being in the service center, just like other past and pending lawsuits have stated - one part is replaced and the other malfunctions because now, after 5 months and four clear diagnostics - after the tcm was replaced, my vehicles clutch levers have malfunctioned all while still not operating the vehicle. The battery was also completely dead after being tested and fully replaced less than 3k miles ago. These clutch levers part is apparently not covered under any warranties and the manufacturer is not willing to pay for out of pocket expenses nor am I in the position to continue to invest in repairing, diagnosis, insurances, transportation, etc. , but I don’t want to sell a vehicle that’s not safe to drive. I’d like some sort of an arbitration or buy-back option with the manufacturer but they’ve declined accountability because they’ve stated my VIN has no recall, and they’re administered from this department. I’ve filed several ongoing claims and I really hope this could be investigated internally as time is of the essence!.

My son was driving home from boston on 12/18/22, where he attends college. About 30 minutes into his drive home to NJ his car slowed down tremendously, and his rpms were shooting up and down like crazy. He has about 69k miles on his vehicle. We get it towed to a Ford dealership in medford, MA. The next day I drive from NJ to the dealership where they tell us that they have seen this problem a lot lately with 2018 Focus' and it could possibly be the tcm, which has a recall on it. Well unfortunately his VIN does not fall under the recall. Personally, if there is a recall on this powertrain issue for certain vins, it should be on all of them. Who can afford 4200. 00 nowadays to pay for their vehicle to get repaired???? especially a college student. We got him this car brand new in 2018. Well come to find out after they diagnosed it, it is the tcm. Code that the computer found is p07 alpha5.

The contact called on behalf of her daughter who owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated that her daughter attempted to start the vehicle, but the engine failed to turn over. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission control module failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was advised that the VIN was not under recall. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.

I informed the dealership twice that something was wrong with my vehicle. I had it serviced twice, now I’m being told my tcm needs to be replaced.

My 2018 Ford Focus has less than 35k miles on it. It has sat at a dealership since December 2021 waiting on a tcm while I am stuck with car payments and zero help from Ford. Ford has stranded over 50k customers and has no eta on this part. Their dealerships are advising customers the vehicles are safe despite the fact that they shudder, lurch while braked, and decelerate for no reason. This is a known issue that Ford already lost a lawsuit for ok earlier models and now they’ve been sued for the 2017/2018 models. Nhtsa needs to investigate this. These cars are not safe and should not be on the road.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 mph and depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission control module (tcm) to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the part being on backorder. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 18v845000 (power train) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 54,000.

I bought my car on July 12, 2019 and had a pcm issue few months after that was messing with the transmission. It was covered under factory warrenty. Now 18 months later im having the same transmission issue but with a different code. . (p07a5) which is something internal. There should be a recall for this transmission cause I cant keep spending money to have this fix.

The contact owns a 2018 Ford Focus. The contact stated while driving 35 mph the vehicle started to shudder and decelerate without any warning, after a couple minutes the vehicle started operating normally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the clutch was replaced, but the failure reoccurred. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer and the transmission module was updated, but the failure continued. The vehicle was taken to the dealer again and they stated the transmission module needed to be updated. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 8,000.